George Kalamaras will present his mission as poet, writer and environmental scientist, with particular emphasis on his Wabash Watershed Venture and the power of poetic thinking. He will also conduct a brief poetry writing workshop to engage all audience members. Program coordinated by Beate Gilliar, professor of English.

Professional instructors and competitive dancers Christopher Spalding, Kelly Bartlett, Tony Didier and Danel Nickels-Didier (MU '98) will perform show dances in styles such as waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, cha cha, bolero and swing. Accompanying each dance the performers will discuss the historical development and cultural and social significance of the particular dance style. This program is the initiative of a new MU student organization, the Ballroom and Latin Dance Club, and coordinated by Jim Brumbaugh-Smith, its faculty advisor.

The Indianapolis Public Library selected Ethiopian author Dinaw Mengestu’s book The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears as a way to focus on a cultural group of which many Indianapolis residents are unaware. The Ethiopian Cultural Fair, which will take place the evening of March 11 at the Central Library, will feature Ethiopian cuisine, music and exhibits a about traditional Ethiopian culture and the lives of Ethiopian immigrants in Indianapolis. Part of the fair will also include information or stories of international adoption, including adopting children from Ethiopia. Exhibits will remain on display in the Central Library Atrium throughout March and April.

Bruno, 8 years old, experiences World War II as son of the commandant at a concentration camp. His forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences. This film, based on a book by John Boyne, offers an authentic depiction of what a family of a Nazi leader could have experienced. The point of view moves as it leads the audience through the brutal naiveté infiltrating a system hidden in the name of "duty's" executioners. 94 minutes, followed by Q&A. Trailer

Student Affairs will host a visit day for individuals interested in learning about the Manchester University College of Pharmacy program. Guests will have an opportunity to tour the College and attend a presentation on the program that will include a Q&A session with faculty and students. Anyone interested in attending should sign-up on the Pharmacy website (http://www.manchester.edu/pharmacy/visit.htm).

A seasoned teacher who has taught science and evolution in public schools, Dr. Paul K. Strode will discuss his experiences, the writing of his book with Matt Young, Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails), and the passionate-dispassionate dichotomy of science and what science can and cannot do for humanity. A product of Manchester Community Schools and in 1991 from what was then Manchester College, Strode will share why it’s not OK to tiptoe through the subject and ignore the phenomena of pseudoscience and science denial.

Basij-Rasikh, internationally recognized advocate for education of girls and women in developing countries, is co-founder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan. Shabana's family valued the importance of education for all of their children – sons and daughters – and arranged for Shabana to study disguised as a boy in order for her to attend a secret school in Kabul. Shabana completed her studies in the United States, and has established SOLA to work for the education of girls and women in Afghanistan. To see her TEDxWomen speech, click here. Sponsored primarily by the Peace Studies Institute. Visit coordinated with the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace.